Polished-rod rotor



June 12, 1928.

A. BOYNTON POLI SHED ROD ROTOR Filed June 29, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l June 12. 1928. 1,673,224

' A. BOYNTON POLISHED ROD ROTOR Filed June 29, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITEDv STATES ALEXANDER BOYNTQN, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

POLISHED-ROD ROTOR.

Application filed" June 29,

This invention relates to polished rod rotors of the chain actuated type and an important object is the provision of simple and reliable means whereby a polished rod, the sucker rods and the fluid lifting unit connected thereto, may be turned in a clockwise direction to avoid the formation of squirt grooves in the working barrel and the fluid lifting unit and at the same time to exert an intermittent tightening effect on the rods at the joints thereof, all of which is intended'to avoid frequent interruptions of the pumping of the well.

' Another important feature 1s the provision of means whereby the rotor is rendered temporarily inoperative when the tw st in the rods exceeds a'predetermined point as a result of the sticking of the fluid lifting. unit, such as the cups or plunger.

A further objectis to provide a polished rod rotor of the character specified which may be applied without the exercise of unusual skill'and without substantial alteration of parts already in use. I

A further object is to provide a polishedrod rotor which in addition to giving visual evidence of normal operation willv give an audible signal so that in the event of improper operation proper adjustment or repair may be quickly made.

"Other objects and advantages will be aparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings formmg a part of this application and in which like numerals are .employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective of the improved rotor applied;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the rotor, a portion of the attaching means thereof being broken away;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary group perspective illustrating a motion transmitting mechanism embodied in the invention;

Figured is a side elevation illustrating a slight modification of the invention;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of'the rotor shown in Figure 4c, the view illustrating the attaching means. i 1

In the drawing, the numeral 5 designates a polished rod which is, of course, connected to the sucker rods in the usual manner. As well known the sucker rods support a fluid lifting unit such as a series of cup; or

1926. Serial No. 119,508.

a plunger, both of which operate in a working barrel. Figure 1 illustrates that the polished rod is extendedthrough a trunnion G'of special design and that the trunnion is provided with a trunnion screw 9 adapted to be tightly engaged with the polished rod preparatory to and during the application of the'improved rotor so that the polished rod and the parts connected thereto may not drop. Of course, when the rotor has been applied the screw 9 must be loosened to allow of'the free turning of the polished rod under the influence of the rotor. I

Figure 1 clearly illustrates that the branches of the trunnion 6 are extended beyond the sides of the beam and are provided with grooved enlargements- 10 received within the eyes 11 of attaching bolts 12. The attaching bolts 12- are in turn threaded into the upper terminal portions of a U-shaped stirrup or frame 14 and at this point it is noted that the stirrup may be adjusted by turning of one or both of the eye bolts 12 as will be obvious.

Attention is now invited to Figure 2 which illustrates that a rotor element is mounted between the sides of the U-shaped stirrup 14 and comprises members 16 and 17, the member 16 being fined to the polished rod by'set screws 18 or other suitable fastening devices. The opposed ends of the sections 16 and 17 are provided with ratchet teeth so that when the section 17' is turned in a clockwise direction similar'movem'ent will" be imparted to' the polished rod. The teeth of the section 1 7 are urged into engagement Withthe teeth of the section 16 through the medium of a spring confined within a shell 19.' Of course, the spring contracts each time the movable section 17 par-takes of a backward or a counter clockwise movement preparatory to. again turning the polished rod and associated parts.

Iii-carrying out the invention the member 17 is provided with a radial arm consisting of telescopic sections 20 and 21, the section 21 preferably being integral with the member 17, while the section 20 slidably receives the section 21 and is provided with a more or less cylindrical terminal 22.

The cylindrical terminal 22 which, for the purpose of lightness and, providing for lubrication may be hollow, is slidably received in the transversely curved crank 23 of a sprocket wheel 24;. The sprocket wheel is mounted on a shaft 26 having a sectional attaching member 27, which as illustrated in Figure 2 is mounted upon the intermedi ate portion of the member 16. The intermediate portion of the member 16 is preferably grooved to define a pair of annular shoulders between which the sectional atsary'movement i'n the crank as a result of the rocking of the. crank. When the crank-23 is rocked the distance between it and the axis of therotor willvary at different positions of the crank and to provide for this the section 20 is allowed to slide longitudinally on the section 21 without at any time breaking the driving connection between the crank and the rotor member 17. Also the cylindrical terminal is capable of and actually does partake of a limited turning within the transversely curved actuating crank 28.

Attention is now invited to Figure 1 which clearly illustrates that the sprocket wheel or segment is engaged by the intermediate portion of a sprocket chain 29 and that the ends of the sprocket chain are anchored to sprocketwheels 30 secured by bolts 32 to an arm The arm 83 is in turn connected to the beam as indicated at 34: so that the terminals of the arm extend substantially the same distance at both sides of the plane of the polished rod.

F igure 1 further illustrates that the bolts 32 which support the sprocket wheels are, adjustable in elongated slots in the arm 33 so that the sprocket wheels may be adjusted to vary the turning of the segment 24. It is believed to be obvious that an increase in the turningof the segment 2% may be accomplished by moving the sprocket wheels .80 to the extreme ends of the arm and that a which illustrate that a polished rod clamp 7 is mounted on the polished rod immediately This results in uniform movement of the .cham 1n both directions.

above the rotor unit and transmits the load of the polished rod and the column of fluid through the rotor section 16 to the stirrup 1 1. The load thus transmitted to the stirrup 14 is in turntransmitted through the trunnion 6 to the beam. 7

One of the most important features of the invention resides in the means by which excessive back strain in the rods as the result of sticking of the lifting unit such as a series 'of cups or a plungeris relieved. It will be seen, that the rotor section 16 is mounted in a shallow recess in the bightportion of the stirrup 14: and that this rotor section mustturn in a clockwise direction in this shallow recess under the influence ofthe section 16. When the section 16 is thus turned in a clockwise direction, it will normally remain in thisturned positionuntil another clockwise movement is imparted to it. The frictional contact between the lower end of the section 16 and the bottom wall of the recess into which the. section lGextends, is suflicient to normally hold therods against back turning under the slight twisting tendency which may normally be present.

However, should the lifting unit, such as a series of cups or a plunger,-stick the continued operation of the rotor will cause a back strain to be'built up in the rods and when this back strain exceeds a predetermined point the friction between the section 16 and the stirrup 1%- will be overcome and the section 16 will partake of a counterclockwise turning movement during a simi lar movement of the section 17. In other words, during the return of the section 17 to a new driving position thesection 16 will move with it provided. of course, the back strain in the rods is sufficient to overcomethe friction betweenthe parts 16 and 14;.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, that part of the rotor which is mounted on the polished rod 5 consists of coacting members 60 and 61, the member 60 being locked to the-,i'iolished rod by set screws 62 or other suitable fastening devices.

Figure 5 clearly. illustrates that the opposed ends of the members 60 and 61 are provided With coacting ratchet teeth by means of which turning of the member 61 in a clockwise direction results in similar movement. of the member 60. However. during the return of the member 61 to an operative position or more specifically during the movement of the member 61 in a counterclockwise direction the teeth of the same will ride over the teeth of the member 60 so that no turning of the member 60 results.

The member 61 is urged into engagement witlrthe member 60 by means of acoil spring confined within a shell 63. The

member 60 is extended throiwh the member (ill 61 and the shell and a polished rod clamp 64 of conventional or other, design is connected to the polished rod immediately above and rests upon the upper terminal of the member 60 whereby the weight of the rods etc. is transmitted through the polished rod clamp, the member 60 and the washer confined within a cup (36 to the polished rod trunnion 67. The polished rod trunnion is in turn mounted on the beam, (38.

The transmission of the load to the beam as described and the mounting of the member 60 on the washer within the cup 60 makes it possible for excessive back strain in the rods as a result of sticking of the cups or the like to be relieved. In explaining this point, it is pointed out that in the normal operation of the rotor the member 60 will turn only in a clockwise direction under the influence of the member 61. During the return of the member (51 in a counterclockwise direction the memberGO will partake of no turning but will remain in a relatively fixed position. However, should the cups stick. back strain willbe built up in the rods with the result that the friction between the member 60 and the washer within the cup is ow ercome and the member 60 will move in a countercloclnvise directhis movement.

In view of this, twisting of the rods to the breaking point is avoided. lVhen the cups are freed the back strain on the rods is, of course, relieved and the rotor will again function in a normal manner so. that each time the rods move downwardly they will also be moved'in a clockwise direction to bring about uniform wear on the cups or plunger, as the case may be, and the working barrel and at the same time to tightenthe rods at the joints thereof, allof which is intended to overcome the need of frequently interrupting the pumping operation and pulling the rods.

Figure 5 illustrates that the member 61 is provided with a radial arm consisting of inner and outer telescoping sections and 71, the section 70 being preferably formed integral with the member 61' while the section 71 is slidably mounted on the section 70 and has a more or less cylindrical terminal portion 7:2 received within the transversely curved upper portion 74 of a crank 7 The upper portion 74 describes somewhat more than a semi-circle in cross section and therefore holds the cylindrical terminal 72 in place, but at the same time p'erniits the member 72 to partake of the necessary sliding and turning movement therein. Figure 5 clearly illustrates that as the crank approaches its extreme positions the terminal 72 will move toward the upper end of the crank and will also be turned therein. It is a simple matter to lubricate the contacting 'tion at the time the member 60 pal-takes of ,a-aa. 3

surfaces of" the members and 74 and other parts of the rotor which require occasional lubrication.

I The crank 75 is mounted on an attaching shaft 80, which as shown in- Figure 5, is con nected to.= one of the branches of the trunnion 67 and a sprocket wheel 81 is formed integral with or is otherwise rigidly connected to the hub of'the' crank sosthat when the sprocket wheel is rocked similar move mentwill be imparted to the crank. Attention is now invited to- Figure at which illustrates that the Wheel 81'is engaged by the intermediate portionof a sprocket chain 83, the terminals of whichare adjustably connected to an arm 84 by anchoring devices 85 and 86, one or both of which may be in the nature of sprocket wheels. Inthe illustrated embodiment of the invention the anchoring device 86 is in the nature of a spocket wheel While the anchoring device 85 is in the nature of a clip and both of these parts may be attached to the arm 84 by fastening bolts 89. The fasteningbolts are in turn extended through elongated slots in the arm 84' so that the ends of the chain may be conveniently ad;- justed to vary the action of the roton A coil spring 87 may be interposed between one end of the chain and one of the anchoring devices and functions to tension the chain.

It is noted that when. it is desired to tighten the chain it is merely necessary to temporarily loosen the wheel 86. and turn the same in a counterclockwise direction and then tighten the wheel so. that loosening of thechain is prevented. lith' reference tothe foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be apparent that a polished rod rotor constructed in accordance with this invention' may be easily applied without sub stantially altering the construction of existing parts and without departingfrom established practices, botlr of these features having been considered with'a view of rendering the device acceptable to the trade. As previously stated, the employment'of the rotor will bring about uniform. wear on the cups and will avoid squirt grooves or jets whereby cutting of the oil or loss of production is overcome.

Having thus described the invent-ion, what is claimed is:

1. A polished rod rotor comprising a. rod turning member having a radial. arm consist-ing of a pair of telescopic sections, one of which is provided with a driven terminal portion, and an actuator slidably and r'o-. tatably receiving said driven terminal portion.

2. A polished rod rotor comprising a rotor unit having means. whereby the same may be attached to a polished: rod, a support cooperating with the rotor unit in the formamay be attached to a polished rod, and hav-' ing an arm consisting of a pair of telescopic sections, one of which is provided-with a head, and an actuator having slidingconnection with said head, said head being rotatable in said actuator.

4. A. polished: rod rotor comprising a rotor unit having means wherebythe. same maybe attached to a polished rod, and hav= mg an arm consisting of sections, one of which isprovided with a head, an actuator having sliding connection Wll'h' said'head,

said head being rotatable in said actuator,

and an actuator support having means whereby the same is connected to said rotor unit-. H 5. A polished .rod rotorcomprising a rotor unit havin'g means whereby the same may be attached to. a polished rod, and having an arm consisting of a pair of telescopic sections, one of which is'provided with a head, an actuator having sliding connection with said head, an actuator support having means whereby the same is connected to said rotor unit, a-segment having connection with said actuator, and a driving chain having connection with said segment.

6. A polished rod rotor comprising a rotor unit having means whereby the same may be attached to a polished rod, a support cooperating-with the rotor unit in the formation of a holding means, said rotor unit having an arm provlded with a head, an actuator havlng sliding connectlon with said head,said head. being rotatable in said actuator, an actuator support havlng means whereby the same is connected to saidrotor unit, a segment having connection with said actuator, a driving chain having connection with said segment, and an anchoring memher for said chain. v

7; A POllShQd. rodv rotor comprlsing a rotor unit havlng meanswhercby the same 'may be attached'to a polished rod, and having an arm consisting of a pair of telescopic sections, one of which is provided'with a head, an actuator having connection with said head, asegment having connection with said actuator, a driving chain having connection with said segment, an anchoring member for the ends of said chain, and means whereby said anchoring member may be connected to the beam of a pumping 'jaclr.

'8- A polished rod rotor comprising a rotor unit havingineans whereby the same .may

be attached to a polished rod, and having an arm consisting or a pan. of sect1ons,.an actuator having sliding connection with one of said sections, an actuator support, a segment having connection with said actuator, and driving member having connection with said segment.

9. A polished rod rotor comprising a'rotor assembly havingmeans whereby the same may be mounted on a polished rod and being provided with a radial arm, an actuator having direct connection with saidarm, and a shaft supporting said actuator and adapted "for attachment to a, polished rod trunnion. 10. A polished rod rotor comprising a rotor assembly having means whereby the same may be mounted ona polished rod and being provided with a radial arm, an

actuator having connection with said arm, a shaft supporting said actuator and adapted for attachment to a polished rod trunnion, a sprocket wheel having connection with said actuator, and a driving chain for said wheel.

11; A polished rod rotor comprising a rotor assembly having means whereby the same may be mounted on a polished rod and being provided with an arm, an actuator having connection with said arm, a sprocket wheel having connectionwith said actuator, a driving'chain for said wheel, and means for adjustably anchoring the ends of the chain. v

12. A polished rod rotor comprising a rotor. assembly having means whereby the same may be mounted on a polished rod and being provided with an arm, an actuator having connection with said arm, a shaft supporting said actuator and adaptedfor attachment to a polished rod trunnion, 'a sprocket wheel having connection with said actuator, and a driving chain for said wheel, there being means whereby the chain may be tensioned. v v

13. A polished rod rotor comprising a rotor assembly, a drive wheel for said rotor assembly, a chain having connection with 'said wheel, anchoring devices for the ends of said chain, an arm adjustably supporting said anchoring devices, and means whereby 'the'arm may-be connected to the beam of a pumping ack.

145.. A'polished rod rotor comprising a rotor assembly, a drive wheel for said rotor assembly, a chain having connection with said wheel, anchoring devices for the ends ALEXANDER BovNroa 

